Thriving Adoptees - Let's Thrive

Finding out she was adopted at 38 caused a seismic eruption for Diana. The world disappeared from under her feet. Everything she'd believed about herself was lies. And the lies continued as she searched for her truth. Settle back for a masterclass in stubborn, persistence, acceptance and finally, peace.

DIANA KAYLA HOCHBERG is an accomplished photographer with over twenty-five years of experience in retail management and twenty years as an educator. Her life is a testament to the power of self-discovery and perseverance.

Diana was born in Montreal, Canada, and raised in New York. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and an Associate of Arts degree in Art History. Since 2017, she has been a member of the British Columbia Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical Society. Diana is passionate about genealogy and enjoys helping both adoptees and non-adoptees discover their family histories.

She is the proud mother of her son, David, her daughter-in-law, Erica, and her granddaughter, Harper, as well as her stepdaughter, Claire. Diana resides in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, with her brother Jesse and her Siberian cat Gatsby.

CONNECTED: Finding My Truth is Diana's debut book.

 Giving Back

A portion off all proceeds or royalties from the sales of this book will be donated to the following organizations: National Association of Adoptees and Parents, Inc., Society for Adoption Truth, Elevating Connections, and Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation. 

https://www.dianakaylahochberg.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dianakayla.hochberg

https://x.com/dkhparis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-kayla-hochberg-736104218/

https://www.instagram.com/dianakaylahochberg/?hl=en

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

How much are you enjoying life? The more deeply we can see that joy  is an inside job the more we can enjoy life. Listen in as we dive into accepting missing pieces of our story, finding joy and more.

Leigh Lincoln is an author whose narratives resonate deeply with the human experience. With a passion for storytelling that touches hearts and provokes thoughtful reflection, she has carved a path that intertwines her love for writing with her dedication to advocating for the homeless and those living in poverty. Her journey as an author is a testament to her commitment to making people ponder the choices they make, how they treat others, and the importance of empathy. Leigh’s journey has led her down a remarkable path of advocacy for the homeless and impoverished communities. For over three decades, she has dedicated herself to making a difference in the lives of those in need. Her first novel, “Road Home,” was born from this tireless work. It serves as a thought-provoking mirror to society, challenging readers to consider how they live, treat others, and desire to be treated.

Leigh’s literary exploration continues with the “Broken Roads Series.” Comprising novels like “Road to Freedom,” “Finding the Real Road,” and “The Road West,” these stories delve into the idea that life doesn’t always follow the path we envision. Instead, we encounter unexpected twists and turns, forcing us to gather the fragments of our existence and move forward.

Leigh’s most recent series, “Path to family,” stands as her most personal work to date. “The Path to Family Series” shines a light on the emotional and hopeful tale of adoption.

Having been adopted, Leigh’s life had been shaped by this framework. And she has been blessed by finding a half-sister and her birth father. Her hope in writing these novels is to help others understand the complexities and emotions involved in the adoption process. She invites her readers to connect with the emotional depths of the narrative and the various perspectives. 

Leigh is not just an author; she’s a voice that encourages others to find their own. Through her interviews on various podcasts and radio shows, she strives to inspire individuals to discover their unique voices, explore the world, and never shy away from meaningful conversations. Her passion lies in crafting novels that resonate with readers on a profound emotional level, aiming to uplift, inspire, and provoke introspection.

Find out more at

https://leighlincolnauthor.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-lincoln-24218a133/

https://www.instagram.com/lincolnleigh/

https://www.facebook.com/leigh.lincoln.2025/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Want to be in  our new book for adoptive parents? Listen in as fellow adoptee and friend Jude interviews me about the book.

 I'm gathering wisdom from across the adoption constellation for a book on how adoptive parents can help their kids thrive. The ebook will be available widely and free. Any profits from the printed book will go towards supporting a post-adoption charity. 

Contribute here https://forms.gle/93u641bZf2DzXDGs6

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Unlimited potential. A tantalising idea isn't it? One that seems a long way from our experience. So what brings it closer? What takes it further away. Listen in as we explore realising that unlimited potential, getting out of our own way and more.

Meghan Anderson has been the director of Connecting Hearts (now Adoption Life), since 2018 and has worked in adoptions in various roles for over 12 years.  She has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University and thoroughly enjoyed her experiences at both schools.  Meghan has loved working in social work in different settings, including mental health counseling, school social work and social work teaching over the course of her career but has been particularly drawn to working in adoption.  She loves the connections she is able to make with all the people involved in adoption and appreciates the opportunity and responsibility of being with people in some of their most vulnerable experiences.  She is motivated to take great care with all members of the adoption triad and create a more ethical and compassionate adoption experience for all.  Meghan enjoys spending time with her family, including her three kids and husband and chasing them to every kind of sporting event imaginable.

https://adoptionlifeagency.org/

https://www.instagram.com/adoptionlifeagencies/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanwoolleyanderson/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

What does thriving mean to you? Everyone has a different definition. One that feels authentic to them. Giving ourselves grace, feeling safe and being vulnerable help us see our true self and being true to who we truly are. Listen to a lovely, deep dive into authenticity.

Jenn Hook, MA  is Founder and Executive Director of Replanted Ministry

Jenn received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. She previously worked as a trauma therapist for children and adolescents in foster care. She speaks frequently on topics related to adoption and foster care support, mental health, and trauma. She is the author of Replanted: Faith-Based Support for Foster and Adoptive Families, and Thriving Families: A Trauma-informed Guidebook for the Foster and Adoptive Journey. She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband Josh and 2 children.

https://www.instagram.com/jennranter/

https://www.replantedministry.org/

https://www.facebook.com/replanted/

https://x.com/ReplantedMin

https://www.instagram.com/replantedministry/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Do you feel you belong? Do the ones you love feel they belong? Listen in as we explore belonging, grace and the power of unconditional love. Profound and poignant. A conversation we both hope you love.

Amiee earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She also has a Master’s in Conflict Management from Lipscomb and is a Certified Nonprofit Profesisonal.

https://miriamspromise.org/

https://www.facebook.com/miriamspromise

https://www.instagram.com/miriamspromise/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amieemsadler/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

"We act how we feel" what a truthbomb! But how do you feel? How do you feel about yourself? Listen in as we dive deep into acceptance, gratitude so we relish ourselves.

Kelly has extensive experience as a Family Support Coach with Children’s Home Society and has also served as the co-leader of Bellis' innovative Tuesday morning peer-support group for women addressing the grief of no longer parenting their children. She was recently appointed to the inaugural State Board of Appellate Counsel and Training in MN. Kelly has an M.Ed. degree with licensure in Parent and Family Education (U of M Twin Cities) as well as a Graduate Licensure in Secondary Education from the University of St Thomas.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-tronstad-05934b198/

https://www.mybellis.org/

https://www.facebook.com/MyBellisCommunity/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

We all have trauma. Infertility traumatises and miscarriage takes that to a different level of pain. For Anna Maria miscarriage prompted depression. Listen in as she shares her learnings from bouncing back from that, raising her daughters and finding peace.

Anna Maria DiDio, MSW is a writer, speaker and educator who has devoted her time and talents to organizations focusing on women, girls and families. She is also the mother of two wonderful women. Her younger daughter joined the family through adoption. Here's more about Anna Maria from her website:

"Twenty years ago, the myth of adoption had me hooked and I was unprepared for the journey ahead. My mission in writing children's books is to encourage open conversation about adoptee love and loss so that all blended families thrive! When reading together, allow your child to express honest emotions and feelings. All of the events in my books have been inspired by our own family experience, chronicled in my memoir – Love at the Border.

Shattered by infertility, Anna Maria knew that adoption was the only way to realize the family of her dreams. That is how she found herself in a Mexican orphanage ready to meet a six-year-old girl. Once in their forever home, her new daughter cried and pleaded to return to the women who had cared for her since birth. Anna Maria was devastated."

https://www.amdidio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/annamariadidiomsw/

https://www.facebook.com/AnnaMariaDiDioMSW

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Who do you prioritise? Whose needs come first? Putting ourself first is seen as selfish and therefore, bad. Listen in as Abby and I discover constructive selfishness. Abby also shares her reflect, release and re-invent process that's empowered her as a transracial adoptee.

Dr. Abigail Hasberry splits residence in Texas and Maryland. Her work focuses on examining and developing a person's identity, experiences, passions, and support networks. Abby prides herself on being able to support people as they plan to meet and exceed their potential. She provides a safe and supportive space where her clients are guided to growth by enhancing their confidence, knowledge base, and network. Dr. Hasberry deeply understands her clients’ passions and listens for the things that are not said. "I am also my clients’ biggest cheerleader and problem solver all at once."  

Here's the link to Abby's book https://adoptingprivilege.com/

Here's the link to the book Abby mentions  https://www.amazon.com/Mis-Education-Negro-Carter-Godwin-Woodson/dp/B09WHKKMNT

https://www.instagram.com/d.e.a.r._abby/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailhasberry/

https://twitter.com/DEARAbbyEdu

https://dearabbyllc.org/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.

Thriving starts with us. If we want our kids to thrive, we need to be thriving. And that all starts with self awareness. Listen in as Annette shares insights into self awareness and how it helps us tackle the tough stuff and thrive.

Annette Williams, PhD, M.Ed., LPC, RPT, CAS is a Professional Member of the Association of Play Therapy and is a National Certified Counselor through the NBCC.

Find out more about her here:

https://www.williamscounselingplaytherapy.com/

Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.